Let’s call this Lesson an “overview” of the whole Passage, Psalm 7.
One writer of old called this the Psalm of “the sorely slandered saint.” Because David is here being falsely accused, via lies and innuendoes, by a man named Cush, apparently a close friend of wicked King Saul. Virtually a “spy” of the rebellious Saul.
Another expert labeled the Psalm, in just two words, “Not Guilty!”
No doubt the Psalm will be used in a future day, by the saved Jewish Remnant (during the Tribulation), when Antichrist will be persecuting them relentlessly.
But the Chapter’s most practical Lesson for each of us is … “How to respond to our enemies.”
Let God handle them, those who hate us and despitefully use us. Like Peter taught us in his first Epistle: “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1st Peter 4:19
When trouble comes … the first thing a Christian should do is … examine himself or herself. And David did so in the heart of this Psalm.
Next, pray and ask God to intervene.
The Psalm might be epitomized this way:
A. Appeal for Deliverance (verses 1-2, David praying).
B. Assertion of Innocence (verses 3-5, David protesting).
C. Assize (Judgment) of Jehovah God (verses 6-13, the Righteous Arbitrator).
D. Arrest of Wickedness (verses 14-16, Punishment on the Ungodly).
E. Ascription of Praise (verse 17, What a Great God we serve)!
I trust this little study has helped us (taught us how) to better live for our Lord … particularly during the hard times of trial and pressure and turmoil.
Read it one more time, Psalm 7. It’s not that long.
“O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: 2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. 6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. 7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. 8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. 9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. 10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. 11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. 13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. 14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. 16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. 17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.”
Amen.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell